Flattop Horsemanship
By Marty Gardner
4 H Speech
Flattop Horsemanship
PO Box 29
Stavely, Alberta
Canada
T0L-1Z0
(403)-549-0044
PO Box 29
Stavely, Alberta
Canada
T0L-1Z0
(403)-549-0044
Horsemanhip through my eyes!
Harmony, friendship, working together as one. Isn't this the relationship we all want with our horses?
Good Afternoon Madame Chair person Honorable Judges, Ladies and gentlemen and fellow 4-H members.
My question to you is, how much metal and tack do you need to control your horse?
We are all in search for a bit that makes our horse work better. When choosing from those long lines of bits on the tack shop walls, do we think of the harm it has on our horse?
Many just pick the bit that makes our horse do what we want them to do.
Technically it is not he bit that is harming the horse but the hands that are on the ends of the reins.
Marty Gardner a local horsemanship trainer explains, quote "A bit is like a gun. It is only harmful if someone points it at you and pulls the trigger. If it is just sitting there it is no more harmful then a feather. If someone were to poke you in the eye with that feather would you blame the feather or the person who used the feather to harm you?" Unquote
This is when we have to ask ourselves is it the horses fault? Should we blame them?
So many times people are caught up in the winning of things that they do not realize who is being harmed by it. It happens to all of us, until you see it being done and it is brought to your attention.
This is why we all need to try something that is beneficial for both yourself and your horse, Horsemanship. Your probably thinking what is horsemanship? The best definition that I have been told is: Horsemanship is the ability to help horses understand and function within our world without losing their dignity or spirit.
Horses are prey animals. their first instinct is to be afraid of humans. Horsemanship helps to let horses know that they can trust humans.
The main thing for me is giving our horses choices. Don't we all want choices?
I sometimes have trouble tacking up my mare Little Bits, she won't stop tomping and moving her feet. So I give her two choices, she can stay still and get tacked up or she can trot circles around me. I know that the easier choice would be to stand still, but if she chooses to trot circles than I except that. I know that eventually she will get tired and want to stand still and get tacked up. This way I am not forcing her to stand there it was her choice. I would rather spend more time on getting a positive reponse than for later on for her to become scared and frightened of her saddle or even worse scared of me.
This is just one example of when horsemanship comes in handy. There are even times when horsemanship can help with more serious horse related activities. Take barrel racing for instance or any gymkhana event. When turning a barrel if we use our legs it is more understanding for the horse.
This can make a big difference in our times that we are running.
Even working on a ranch. If you could leg yield to the gate you wouldn't have the hassle of getting on and off to open each and every gate.
Watching a dressage horse turning on the haunches. A perfect graceful spin. Or a horse following each and every step his owner, his friend takes. That horse knows that he can trust him, he knows that he is safe with him. The horse and man are one.
These situations could be the opposite, they could all look different. We all don't want to end on a bad note.
Everyone has a vision, a dream that they want to achieve with their horses. There are two paths when working up to that dream.
Path#1- Some people may do whatever it takes to have that dream be a reality even if it means harming your horse. Having your horse confused and always frustrated. It could take less time. And even if you achieve, is it really what you want?
Then there is path #2- Using horsemanship.Rewarding our horses for each and every correct step they take.
Horses are being forced to change to be something that they are not. So why don't we try and keep the spirit of the horse. Not only having you happy but also your hosre.
Even though those ribbons hanging on your wall are rewarding and make you proud. If you risked your horses dignity or took path #1 than what is thepoint?
I would much rather take one step at a time. To focus on the things that really matter.
Having my horse take each step not because she was forced to but because she trusts me and wants to work with me not against me. We would bond together as one. A team.
My horse Little Bits is no expensive championship horse, but each and every day we improve and I can't wait to see what she becomes in the future!
By Chanice Tarasoff
Harmony, friendship, working together as one. Isn't this the relationship we all want with our horses?
Good Afternoon Madame Chair person Honorable Judges, Ladies and gentlemen and fellow 4-H members.
My question to you is, how much metal and tack do you need to control your horse?
We are all in search for a bit that makes our horse work better. When choosing from those long lines of bits on the tack shop walls, do we think of the harm it has on our horse?
Many just pick the bit that makes our horse do what we want them to do.
Technically it is not he bit that is harming the horse but the hands that are on the ends of the reins.
Marty Gardner a local horsemanship trainer explains, quote "A bit is like a gun. It is only harmful if someone points it at you and pulls the trigger. If it is just sitting there it is no more harmful then a feather. If someone were to poke you in the eye with that feather would you blame the feather or the person who used the feather to harm you?" Unquote
This is when we have to ask ourselves is it the horses fault? Should we blame them?
So many times people are caught up in the winning of things that they do not realize who is being harmed by it. It happens to all of us, until you see it being done and it is brought to your attention.
This is why we all need to try something that is beneficial for both yourself and your horse, Horsemanship. Your probably thinking what is horsemanship? The best definition that I have been told is: Horsemanship is the ability to help horses understand and function within our world without losing their dignity or spirit.
Horses are prey animals. their first instinct is to be afraid of humans. Horsemanship helps to let horses know that they can trust humans.
The main thing for me is giving our horses choices. Don't we all want choices?
I sometimes have trouble tacking up my mare Little Bits, she won't stop tomping and moving her feet. So I give her two choices, she can stay still and get tacked up or she can trot circles around me. I know that the easier choice would be to stand still, but if she chooses to trot circles than I except that. I know that eventually she will get tired and want to stand still and get tacked up. This way I am not forcing her to stand there it was her choice. I would rather spend more time on getting a positive reponse than for later on for her to become scared and frightened of her saddle or even worse scared of me.
This is just one example of when horsemanship comes in handy. There are even times when horsemanship can help with more serious horse related activities. Take barrel racing for instance or any gymkhana event. When turning a barrel if we use our legs it is more understanding for the horse.
This can make a big difference in our times that we are running.
Even working on a ranch. If you could leg yield to the gate you wouldn't have the hassle of getting on and off to open each and every gate.
Watching a dressage horse turning on the haunches. A perfect graceful spin. Or a horse following each and every step his owner, his friend takes. That horse knows that he can trust him, he knows that he is safe with him. The horse and man are one.
These situations could be the opposite, they could all look different. We all don't want to end on a bad note.
Everyone has a vision, a dream that they want to achieve with their horses. There are two paths when working up to that dream.
Path#1- Some people may do whatever it takes to have that dream be a reality even if it means harming your horse. Having your horse confused and always frustrated. It could take less time. And even if you achieve, is it really what you want?
Then there is path #2- Using horsemanship.Rewarding our horses for each and every correct step they take.
Horses are being forced to change to be something that they are not. So why don't we try and keep the spirit of the horse. Not only having you happy but also your hosre.
Even though those ribbons hanging on your wall are rewarding and make you proud. If you risked your horses dignity or took path #1 than what is thepoint?
I would much rather take one step at a time. To focus on the things that really matter.
Having my horse take each step not because she was forced to but because she trusts me and wants to work with me not against me. We would bond together as one. A team.
My horse Little Bits is no expensive championship horse, but each and every day we improve and I can't wait to see what she becomes in the future!
By Chanice Tarasoff
The following is a copy of a 4 H speech written by a young lady I have gotten to know over the past few years all because of a horse name "Little Bits". Her name is Chanice Tarasoff, she is 13 years old and this is her second year in 4 H. When I first met Chanice she was very scared of Little bits as this is a very sensitive horse who will tell you exactly what she is feeling in some very negative ways. There are very few people out there that would have given this horse the time she needed to sort some things out. For this reason & allot more I am so very proud of Chanice.
Please take the time to read this speech as I believe anyone who has anything to do with these wonderful animals will gain an enormous understanding about "horsemanship".
Marty Gardner
Please take the time to read this speech as I believe anyone who has anything to do with these wonderful animals will gain an enormous understanding about "horsemanship".
Marty Gardner
Chanice & Little Bits